Archive Council News

08.08.05

Accolade for Social Services

Wrexham Council's Social Services staff are all smiles today after winning one of the first ever Accolades Awarded by the Care Council for Wales for improving their recruitment and retention in order to secure continuity of care.

Traditionally social services throughout the UK have difficulties in retaining staff, but since 2003 staff in Wrexham have worked hard to reverse that situation. A strategy of effective advertising, information booklets and a robust induction and training packages ensure staff are supported, informed and skilled for the job they undertake.

They received their Award from Dr Brian Gibbons, Minister for Health and Social Services at a special ceremony in Cardiff.

Human Resources Manager, Dave Palmer said:

"Since the strategy was implemented we have seen recruitment costs dropping substantially, which allows more money to be spent on direct services. The team has five major objectives - making people central to service and planning; better recruitment; better retention; better training and development and a more effective leadership management style. We want to ensure staff involved in social care have the appropriate skills and qualifications and their conduct and practice is properly regulated."